PRETORIA. 12 April 2019 – Not even Mother Nature could stop the mighty Lions from roaring to a fourth successive victory in the 32nd South African Senior A-Division Inter-Provincial, while KwaZulu-Natal sealed the Super Senior title at Wingate Park Country Club on Friday.

SENIORS

Rain and lightning put a serious damper on the final day’s action, but in the end, defending champions Central Gauteng topped the pile with 13 points with an unbeaten run in this year’s tournament.

“We started the final round with a 2-point cushion over Western Province and 3 points ahead of Gauteng North,” said team manager Andy Truluck.

“Victory is never in the bag for us until the final putt drops, and going up against Province and Eastern Province, we expected two tightly contested skirmishes. The senior circuit is highly competitive. The guys have played each other for years and they know each other so well, so you can never afford to get complacent.

“Both matches were incredibly tight from the start. We were all square in the foursomes against Western Province and we led Eastern Province 2.5 – 1.5. Going into the singles, the guys were matching each other shot for shot. Our first guys were approaching the ninth green and the last guys were on the fifth and all the games were in the balance. Then the siren went.”

Tournament director David Younge from GolfRSA suspended play at 14h15 due to dangerous conditions.

“There was heavy downpour that flooded the course, but within an hour and a half, the green staff had the course ready for play,” Truluck said.

“The rain stopped, but unfortunately the lightning didn’t. Eventually the tournament committee had to make a call to abandon play for the day. With light fading, there wouldn’t have been enough time for us to compete nine holes for a result. It’s never the way you want to win, but in this case, it was the safest call. In the end, the singles were halved.

“All credit to the team for a fantastic performance all week. They are a fantastic bunch of guys with a fantastic team spirit that really played for each other. From Brian Chernotsky, making his senior debut this year, who made some crucial points for us to Jock Wellington, winning the Most Valuable Player of the tournament in his 19th senior IPT.

“It was a really tough event this year and all our matches went down the wire. We sunk a lot of pivotal putts, like the clutch putt Schalk sunk in the foursomes to win the match against Province that got us the crucial draw.

“I must congratulate Wingate Park and Gauteng North Golf Union on a fantastic event. The meals, the hospitality, the conditioning of the course was amazing. Compliments also to David – the tournament was very well run and the course was set up brilliantly for match play. All round, one of the most memorable Senior IPTs in my time and well done to all involved.”

Meanwhile Gauteng North beat both their final round opponents to finish second on 11 points, but a 7 – 5 victory over Border came too late for North West, who was left holding the wooden spoon.

SUPER SENIOR

KwaZulu-Natal began the final round on 4 points, 1 point behind log leaders Central Gauteng and second-placed Western Province, but the coastal side leapfrogged both teams with a double victory to lift the Super Senior title.

Two big wins on the final day won KwaZulu-Natal the Super Senior title in the 32nd South African Senior A-Division Inter-Provincial Tournament at Wingate Park Country Club; credit GolfRSA.

The four-man side routed Boland 4 – 2 and beat Western Province 3.5 – 2.5 to finish in the top spot on 8 points. Province settled for second on 7 points after drawing with Central Gauteng and Eastern Province.

Central Gauteng, who edged Eastern Province 6.5 – 5.5 took third on 6 points, while Boland was sent down to the B-Division after their final round loss.

SENIORS A DIVISION FINAL ROUND

Central Gauteng 6 vs Western Province 6

Central Gauteng 6.5 vs Eastern Province 5.5

KwaZulu-Natal 6.5 vs Southern Cape 5.5

Gauteng North 8 vs Southern Cape 4

Gauteng North 6 vs KwaZulu-Natal 5

Western Province 6 vs Eastern Province 6

North West 7 vs Border 5

SUPER SENIORS A DIVISION FINAL ROUND

KwaZulu-Natal SS 3.5 vs Western Province SS 2.5

KwaZulu-Natal SS 4 vs Boland SS 2

Western Province SS 4.5 vs Boland SS 1.5

Southern Cape SS 3 vs Gauteng North SS 3

Southern Cape SS 3 vs Central Gauteng SS 3

Gauteng North SS 4 vs Central Gauteng SS 2

SENIORS A-DIVISION LOG

(Position-Union-Played-Win-Draw-Loss-Points-Games)

1 Central Gauteng (7, 6, 1, 0, 13, 52.0)

2 Gauteng North (7, 5, 1, 1, 11, 53.5)

3 Western Province (7, 4, 2, 1, 10, 52.5)

4 KwaZulu-Natal (7, 4, 0, 3, 8, 44.5)

5 Eastern Province (7, 1, 3, 3, 5, 41)

6 Southern Cape (7, 2, 0, 5, 4, 38)

7 Border (7, 1, 1, 5, 3, 27.5)

8 North West (7, 1, 0, 6, 2, 24)

SUPER SENIORS A-DIVISION

(Position-Union-Played-Win-Draw-Loss-Points-Games)

1 KwaZulu-Natal SS (5, 4, 0, 1, 8, 16)

2 Western Province SS (5, 3, 1, 1, 7, 17.5)

3 Central Gauteng SS (5, 2, 2, 1, 6, 17.5)

4 Gauteng North SS (5, 2, 1, 2, 5, 16)

5 Southern Cape SS (5, 1, 2, 2, 4, 15.5)

6 Boland SS (5, 0, 0, 5, 0, 6.5)

Written and released by Lali Stander on behalf of GolfRSA, a SAGA and WGSA Not-For-Profit company.

BALFOUR, 12 April 2019 – Boland and Border emerged as the undisputed champions in an epic final round battle for supremacy for glory in the 32nd South African Senior B-Division Inter-Provincial Tournament at Katberg Hotel and Eco Golf Estate on Friday.

SENIORS

Over the last three years, Boland started the final round unbeaten, but spoiled their promotion chances with a less than perfect performance…but not this year.

“We went into the final round tied for the lead with Mpumalanga on 4 points, and we threw down the gauntlet. We knew the final round would be a long, tough battle against Mpumalanga, so we put a huge effort into beating Ekurhuleni to boost our game points,” said team manager Charl de Villiers.

“The strategy worked. We started strong and beat Ekurhuleni 8.5 – 3.5. Mpumalanga also beat them, but only by 1 point. That gave us the game point advantage and we just kept our foot on the pedal against Mpumalanga until the final dropped.

“The match was poised on a knife’s edge, though. We halved one foursomes game and lost two others, so we were on the back foot heading into the singles. The guys knew the score and they stepped up to the plate.”

Andre van Dyk took first blood in the singles to level the score.

The reigning Senior Players champion mowed down Daniel Nyathela 5 & 4 to level the score and a 4 & 2 win from George Bezuidenhout put Boland in the lead for the first time.

“We beat Mpumalanga 32.5 – 29 on game points; it was that close!” said De Villiers.

“Every man on the team shares in this moment, but we want to single out Jorrie. He battled earlier in the week and we took a team decision to play him at number one. He said he would make us proud and he did, winning both his matches to make sure we take this trophy home.

“The team worked incredibly hard to put the disappointments of the previous years behind them and to come to this year’s championship with a fresh, determined attitude. We have a fantastic bunch of guys who fought until the last putt in every match. They never gave up and they have made me, and our union, incredibly proud.

“We had an incredible week here at Katberg. This place is one of the most well-kept secrets in South Africa and just a huge thank you to the staff and green staff for making the week so memorable.”

SUPER SENIORS

Border went into the final round with a 2 point lead, but like Boland in the Senior Division, the team had to pull out all the stops to hold off Eastern Province to win on game points.

Eastern Province led the foursomes 1,5 – 0.5 but Russel Gower beat Willie Prince 3 & 2 to level the score. Dave Stephen won his match against Zolile Nqana 2 & 1 to put Border ahead, but both Wakeford Dondashe and Phillip Wolk lost their games.

“Eastern Province won the match 3.5 – 2.5, but we got the win with 19 – 17 game points,” said Border manager Hartland Wilson. “What a dramatic finish.

“You know, these guys have been playing golf for many, many years, so they know each other so well. There is a wonderful respect between the players, and the camaraderie and team spirits out there is so special. For the super seniors it’s a mulligan be competing at this level and they really revel in the competition.

“I am incredibly proud of this team. Every guy had a job to do. They never, ever gave up. They fought hard and when one player struggled, the other three stepped up. This is their win and I hope they enjoy the celebrations. The preparation for the A-Division starts when we get home.

“Thanks to Eden Thomson and Greg de Doncker from GolfRSA for an incredibly well-organised event and a final thank you from all the players to the staff at Katberg. Not many of us had ever heard of this course and what a jewel we have discovered. Pristine greens, manicured fairways, magnificent scenery anyway you look and truly world-class hospitality from Stefan and his team. We hope to send many people this way in the future.”

GREATER NOIDA, India (30 November 2018) – A feisty Indian side upped the ante in the final round, but South Africa’s seniors and mid-amateurs prevailed to seal a third successive victory in the annual Fellowship Cup in India.

South Africa held a commanding 8 – 8 lead after clean sweeps in the fourballs and foursomes and drove home the advantage with another strong performance in the Singles at the Jaypee Greens Golf and Spa Resort to triumph 14.5 – 1.5.

“The final round was intense and the Indians made us work really hard for the victory,” said South African Golf Association Second Vice President Martin Saaiman.

PHOTO 1 – South Africa claimed the Fellowship Cup against India for a third successive year at the Jaypee Greens Golf and Spa Resort in Greater Noida, India; credit GolfRSA.

PHOTO 2 – The South African and Indian Golf Union Teams and executives at the Fellowship Cup at Jaypee Greens Golf and Spa Resort in Greater Noida, India; credit GolfRSA.

“Over the three days of the Test, our seniors outperformed their counterparts, however, two of the singles were really tight and Rishi Narain played fantastic golf to beat Craig Kamps 4 & 3.

“Their mid-amateurs are much stronger and have forced our players to dig deep. The South Africans showed some amazing fighting spirit and never gave an inch, including the match between our new cap Ernest Botha and HS Kang, which ended in a draw.

“I am incredibly proud of players, who were incredible ambassadors for South Africa. I congratulate the Indian players for the fantastic spirit in which they competed and their honour in defeat. And I wish to thank the Indian Golf Union and our host, council member Dilip Thomas, for the warm welcome and for showering us with their incredible hospitality.

“This week had been a very memorable experience for everyone, especially for Craig, Ernest, Ruan Botha and Derek Scullard, who all wore the green and gold for the first time. They had a fantastic time and will always treasure their debut in India.”

South Africa’s number one ranked senior Morgan Phillips was very disappointed during the inaugural Fellowship Cup to learn that Indian cricket legend Kapil Dev was unavailable to compete at Royal Kolkata in 2016.

The KwaZulu-Natal senior got his wish this year.

The 2018 SA Senior Stroke Play champion not only played against Dev in the first round Fourballs, but will go home with a great story to tell after he defeated the 1983 Cricket World Cup winning captain 4 & 3 to claim South Africa’s first point in the Singles.

Reigning SA Mid-Amateur champion Derek Scullard took a bit longer than the rest to warm up, but he was at his fighting best in the Singles. The KwaZulu-Natal golfer mowed down Simarjit Singh 5 & 3 to keep the South African leaderboard ticking over.

Ruan Botha from Central Gauteng beat Gagan Verma 1-up and Gerlou Roux from Western Province wrapped up the final point with a 1-up result against Lakhan Singh.

“The final day was incredibly exciting,” said team manager David Younge from GolfRSA.

“Definitely a very different vibe, with the Indian teams determined not to get whitewashed by us. They really stepped it up, played some exceptional golf and put some of our boys under real pressure. “Craig lost 4 & 3, but he was probably four-under against Rishi and not playing badly. Rishi just really wanted that win. Ernest was 2-down after two and had his back against the wall for most of the game. He won a couple to square the match, then lost one and won one to halve against HS. Fantastic match right up until the end.

“The hospitality from our host Mr Dilip Thomas and the Indian Golf Union, the Indian players and their sportsmanship and spirit, the course, the five-star hotel, and the dinners at different venues all combined to make this Test an incredibly memorable one.

“I must commend Mr Thomas and the Indian Golf Union on their exceptional organisation and for giving us some really unique experiences, like visiting the Buddh International Formula 1 Circuit and having a barbeque on the driving range, where we also hit balls under floodlights.

“Our players gelled really well and I mixed up the pairings so everyone would have a chance to play together and play against all the Indian competitors. Everyone had a really great time and enough leisure time to explore the area. Absolutely memorable event.”

SASOLBURG, 19 October 2018 – Maritzburg golfer Morgan Phillips marched to a memorable seven-shot victory in the South African Senior Amateur Championship with a masterful display at the Heron Banks River and Golf Estate on Friday.

The 57-year-old was confidence and poise personified as signed for an even-par final round 71 to triumph on three-under 210.

“I have dreamt of winning this championship since I joined the senior ranks, especially after I won the Senior Players in 2015,” said Phillips, only the second player to have won both flagship events after reigning number one Steve Williams.

“I had a top 10 in 2016 and I tied for sixth last year, but I had to put my family first and had to scale back quite a bit on competitive golf over the last 20 months. When I arrived at Heron Banks, I had only played six tournaments this season. I had no expectations and I think that was the key to my success. I went out there, played my game, managed my game well and put together three solid rounds.”

Growing up in the apartheid era, Phillips never had the opportunity to contest the SA Amateur. He was 55 years old when he earned his national colours for the first time, representing South Africa in the inaugural Fellowship Cup against India in Kolkata in 2016.

“And now I am a national champion,” said Phillips. “Senior golf really is a mulligan. I can’t describe the joy and pride I feel right now. This is a memory I will treasure for the rest of my life.”

Phillips and Craig Kamps from Bryanston shared the first round lead on one-under, but the KwaZulu-Natal senior was flying solo after a second round 69. He started the final round with a commanding four-shot cushion on three-under, but his lead more than doubled almost immediately when Kamps triple bogeyed the par five opening hole.

After a birdie start, Phillips pencilled in another birdie at the par four sixth and pulled 11 shots clear when Kamps dropped two shots at the par four seventh. The Gauteng golfer rallied with a birdie at eight, but Phillips headed down the back nine with a comfortable 10-shot cushion.

“I made a great up-and-down birdie at one,” Phillips said.

“Instead of laying up with a rescue, I took driver at six, because I had a lot of shots in hand. I hit a little cut over the trees and came up just short of the green. I chipped to three feet and holed the putt.”

He bogeyed 10, but reclaimed the lead at five-under with a birdie at 13.

“I had 143 metres into a crosswind to a back flag at 10,” said Phillips. “I wanted to hit a soft 7-iron in, but the ball took one bounce and shot off the back. I had no green to work with and my chip finished well past the flag. I made two good pars at 11 and 12 and hit a good drive on 13. I hit lob-wedge from 58 metres out to four foot and boxed the putt.”

Kamps mounted a comeback with birdies 11, 12 and 15, but further bogeys at 16 and 18 for a final round 74 relegated the 53-year-old to second on his own on four-over 217.

Phillips didn’t have it all his own way down the stretch, either.

“I just made a good up-and-down at 14 to save par after I pulled my 4-iron, so I feeling confident,” he said. “Then I drove it into the hazard at 15. I took the penalty drop and made a great up-and-down for bogey, but at 16, the same story. Another hazard and another bogey.

“I still had a six-shot lead, though. I made a good par at 17, but I caught the lip of the greenside bunker at 18. I hacked it out on the green and holed the par putt.

“At no point in the final round did I assume I would win. You can never do that in golf, no matter how big your lead is. What happened to Craig at the first could have happened to me at any time. I just kept my head down and played shot-for-shot. I think my course management also played a huge part in getting the win. I hit my tee shots and approaches in the right spots and I putted really well.”

The one-two finish meant Phillips moved to third in the Senior Rankings and Kamps vaulted to fourth in the standings.

The pay-off was spots on the Senior Team for the third Fellowship Cup against India at the end of November alongside number one ranked Williams and Francois le Roux, ranked second. Fifth ranked Andre van Dyk was named the non-travelling reserve.

HARTEBEESPOORTDAM, 27 April 2018 – Border produced an unparalleled performance over five rounds at Pecanwood Golf and Country Club to win the promotion battle in the South African Senior B Inter-Provincial, but Boland denied Border a double celebration in the Super Senior division on Friday.

SENIORS

Border was tied with Mpumalanga on six points, but trailed the log leaders by just half a games point as the two teams headed into battle in a three-way clash with Boland on the final day.

Border sealed the coveted promotion with a flawless performance in the SA Senior B Inter-Provincial at Pecanwood Country Club; credit GolfRSA.

After the morning session wrapped up, Border started the Singles tied 2-all with both teams, however, Mpumalanga lost the Foursomes 1 – 3 to Boland and that was all the inspiration Border needed as the three teams started the Singles.

Denis Jones – a veteran of some 50 Inter-Provincials – prove once again that golf has no age limit.

“We had to knuckle down to beat Free State in round four and that victory galvanised the team and motivated their final round performance,” said proud Border manager Uresh Pillay.

“A team is only as good as the sum of its players, but I have to single out Denis, Norman and Ben today. They gave the rest of the guys the spark to finish to job. By the time we reached the 14th hole, we already had five points in the bag against both teams and we just had to finish it off.”

Duncan Neil defeated Brian Naidoo, while Job Gobizembe at six and number one Jakkie Visagie both halved to deliver a 7 – 5 result against Mpumalanga.

“It was a tremendous team effort to guarantee the promotion,” said Pillay.

“These are eight guys who play for each other; if one guy is struggling, he knows seven guys has his back. The key to their success is team spirit and camaraderie. We must thank Boland and Mpumalanga for a fantastic final round tusslee. They were fantastic opponents and the sportsmanship out there was top class. And we would like to congratulate our Super Senior team on a fantastic runner-up finish.”

Boland trailed Mpumalanga and Border by one point at the start of the final day. After upsetting the log leaders in the Foursomes, Boland took a 3 – 1 lead into the Singles.

Boland lost a game to North West in the Foursomes and Lucas Lebeko routed Bruwer 8 & 7 to extend his team’s lead, however Palframan mowed down number one Hennie Kruger 7 & 6. Taking their lead from the captain, Snyman won 4 & 3 and Smit won 2 & 1 for a 4 – 2 victory.

Taking a 2 – 0 lead into the Singles against Eastern Province, Snyman won 4 &, but Bruwer lost by the same margin. Smit and Palframan both halved to seal another 4 – 2 triumph.

“The four of us played together in last year’s tournament at Pezula,” said Palframan, who shared the top spot in the Most Valued Player list on eight points with Wakeford Dondashe from Border.

“We developed a strong bond and that relationship droves us to play all out for each other this week.

“We had a very close match against Border in the first round, but we pulled it through and that win was key to our campaign this year. Coming into the final round, every guy on the side did his bit to take us to the finish line. A huge thank you from all of is to our manager Randall Newman for his support. This is as much his win as ours. This is truly a team celebration.”

ST FRANCIS LINKS, 26 April 2018 – The Lions powered their way to the top step of the winner’s podium in the Senior division of the SA Senior A Inter-Provincial for a third successive time, while Southern Cape claimed the Super Senior prize at St Francis Links on Friday.

SENIORS

Central Gauteng closed out their hat-trick of title with two convincing conquests in the final round. The Lions ran rampant over Ekurhuleni, winning the Foursomes 4 – 0 and racking up five more points in the Singles to triumph 9 – 3.

The Lions celebrated a hat-trick of SA Senior A Inter-Provincial titles with an unbeaten performance at St Francis Links; credit Pieter Els.

Although the clash with former powerhouse Western Province proved slightly tougher, the side capitalised on a 3.5 – 0.5 lead in the morning session to drive home a 7.5 – 4.5 victory in the Singles.

“The Foursomes were key for us,” said manager Jaco du Plessis. “Starting with a lead means nothing in this format and we decided at our last team meeting to take nothing for granted. We were going hard from the get go and that meant a strong Foursomes result.”

Rookie Craig Kamps and Richard Bruyns took first blood in both matches.

Steve Williams and Stephen Johnston covered the tail-end with a point a piece.

“Going into the Singles on the front foot took pressure off the guys in the Singles, but that said, this is a team where everyone plays for every point,” said Du Plessis.

“There are a lot of strong players on the team. Steve is number one in the country; Jock was out there playing in his 18th SA Senior IPT; Stephen, Schalk and Greg are very experienced. Rurik, in his second senior IPT and Craig in his debut topped the Most Valuable Players list this week. I could put these eight players anywhere in the batting order and they would still play to win.”

Gleeson got his revenge on Koopman when he beat the Western Province player 5 & 4 and Gobel took the side to 5.5 points when he defeated Poulton 3 & 2. However, Province gained some traction with victories from Julian Visser, Ralph Richardson and Brian Mampies.

Camps added a valuable point when he eliminated Henry Trevena 1-up and halves from Bruyns and Williams sealed their hat-trick.

“I’m absolutely ecstatic and I know every guy on the team shares in this celebration,” said Du Plessis.

“Andy Truluck, my assistant manager and I have worked incredibly hard over the last five years to foster a one-for-all philosophy in our IPT teams. And this team personifies that culture. You could see that commitment, determination, focus and drive in all their matches.

“We came into the week with a big target on our backs, but we never lost a match. I think that speaks volumes about the spirit and character of this team, who really deserve this victory.”

Central Gauteng closed out the tournament with 10 points and 43 games points, while Western Province took second on nine points and 33.5 games points after beating Ekurhuleni 8.5-3.5.

Eastern Province beat North West 9 – 3 to finish in third with four points, while KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng North and Southern Cape took fourth, fifth and sixth respectively.

North West and Ekurhuleni both accumulated just two points in the tournament, but North West left Ekurhuleni holding the wooden spoon when they won in games points – 24 to 15.5.

SUPER SENIORS

Southern Cape also ended the week on a high note after beating Gauteng North 4 – 2 and handing Ekurhuleni a 5 – 1 drubbing in the final round.

Southern Cape edged out Gauteng North for victory in the Super Senior competition of the 2018 SA Senior A Inter-Provincial; credit GolfRSA.

Neil Abrahamse and Solly Rautenbach lost both their Foursomes but Abrahamse carved out a narrow 1-up victory over Vaughan Sammons from Ekurhuleni for a valuable point. Rautenbach mowed down Ekurhuleni’s William Berry 8 & 7 and routed Rinus van Niekerk from Gauteng North 2 & 1.

Johnny Millar and Bertus Smit won 5 & 3 against Berry and David de Noroonha from Ekurhuleni and they downed Gauteng North pair Adrian Kriel and Etienne Groenewald 2 & 1. Millar beat Kriel 3 & 2 and defeated Michael Lekhuleni 1-up, while Smit drove the final nails in their opponents’ coffins when he knocked out Groenewald and De Noroonha 5 & 4.

Southern Cape topped the log with nine points, Gauteng North was second with eight and Central Gauteng third with seven points. KwaZulu-Natal accumulated three points to take fourth, Western Province was fifth with two points and, like their team-mates in the Senior Division, Ekurhuleni finished at the bottom of the barrel with one point.

The 51-year-old from Wellington stunned the field when he shot into contention with successive rounds of 72 in his debut on the senior amateur national circuit. Not surprisingly, the ‘rookie’ earned overwhelming applause after he defeated reigning Players champion Andre van Dyk at the first extra hole of a sudden-death play-off.

Van der Merwe started the final day three shots off the pace from former SA Mid-Amateur Stroke Play champion Graeme Watson, another SA Senior Amateur Championship debutant.

He trailed by five strokes after a double bogey at nine, but just when it looked as though Watson would set an imposing clubhouse target, his title bid abruptly collapsed. The Ekurhuleni golfer gave eight shots back to the field over the first six holes of the back nine and the chasing pack pounced.

A birdie at 12 helped Van der Merwe to shoot to the top of the pile, with Stephen Johnston from Gauteng and fellow Boland golfers Van Dyk and Francois le Roux also in pursuit.

Van Dyk, who stayed within two shots of his lead, bogeyed the last hole and set the target at six-over-par 222 with a round of 75. Van der Merwe – playing in the final group – had a two lead coming down the 18th hole.

“I hit two good shots, but I duffed my chip and three putted for a double-bogey,” said Van Der Merwe after closing with a 78 to join Van Dyk at six-over-par 222. “I should have won it in regulation play, but once again my putter let me down. I struck the ball extremely well over all three rounds, but I couldn’t sink a putt under eight foot to save my life.”

The pair headed back to the 10th tee, where Van der Merwe mailed his tee shot straight down the middle. Van Dyk hit a huge drive that drifted down the left and finished just short of the fairway bunker. His approach to a pin, tucked back right, flew the green, while Van der Merwe hit his second pin high right.

Van Dyk chipped, but his effort raced past the hole and Van der Merwe also put too much pace on his birdie putt. However, when Van Dyk missed the return putt for par, Van der Merwe drained the “putt of his life” and his ball dropped to the bottom of the cup.

“I feel 10 feet tall,” said the beaming Van der Merwe. “I’ve won more than 50 titles in club opens or Boland Golf Union events, but this is such a special moment.

“I’ve hit the ball so well all week, but the putts refused to drop. It was frustrating, but I had my partner Cornel (de Jager) on the bag and she kept me calm and confident that the putter would warm up. I holed a short one for birdie at 12, but it took another seven holes before it warmed up again.

“That last putt wasn’t very long – maybe six feet – but it rolled on the perfect line all the way and when it dropped, I almost couldn’t believe it. You know, I nearly didn’t even enter. They told me I had to enter online and I couldn’t figure it out, so if it wasn’t for Mariette at Boland Golf Union, I wouldn’t even have been here this week.

“I’ve played Hermanus just twice in the last 18 years. We had to endure three club winds in all three rounds and this week was a real test of patience, but what a fantastic test of golf. To beat some of the legends of the game and to win on the senior circuit has been a dream, but now it’s a reality. I am sure this is how David felt when he knocked down Goliath.”

Le Roux closed with a 75 to finish third on 223 in a tie with Watson, who signed for 82.